Nawaal Deane, Jaspreet Kindra and Belinda Beresford
The Mail & Guardian this week asked all Cabinet ministers whether they were working on the assumption that HIV causes Aids. On Tuesday Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who had been one of 13 female foreign ministers who signed a letter to the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, called on all national leaders “not only health ministers” to join in the public fight against HIV/Aids. Several Cabinet ministers chose not to answer the M&G’s question on the link between HIV and Aids, preferring to fax through a statement by the Government Communication and Information Service (GCIS).
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza: The ministry failed to directly answer on the link between HIV and Aids.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Ben Ngubane: The fact that the government is funding research for a vaccine indicates that it assumes there is a link between HIV and Aids. Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri: Quoted GCIS with respect to the link between HIV and Aids. Minister of Correctional Services Ben Skosana: No response. Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota: “On the question of whether the SANDF work on the assumption that HIV causes Aids, the SANDF’s programmes aimed at fighting the scourge of HIV/Aids are not different from that of the government.” Minister of Education Kader Asmal: His representative reiterated Asmal’s statement in Parliament this week: “HIV may cause Aids.” However, he also added that “[my] views about the link between HIV and Aids are irrelevant. I have to deal with the consequences.”
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mohammed Valli Moosa: No response. Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel: No response
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: The minister is in New York and unable to respond. Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala- Msimang: The minister is working on the assumption that there is acquired immune deficiency. There is a variety of things that causes the collapse of the immune deficiency and it cannot be attributed solely and exclusively to a virus. Minister of Home Affairs Mangosuthu Buthelezi: The minister is in Portugal and will respond next week. Minister of Housing Sankie Mthembi- Mahanyele: Quoted GCIS with respect to the link between HIV and Aids. Minister of Intelligence Joe Nhlanhla: No response.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Penuell Maduna: No comment on the link between HIV and Aids. Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana: On Wednesday this week Mdladllana publicly said: “Yes, of course HIV causes Aids.” Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka: Response failed to meet M&G deadline. Minister in the Office of the Presidency Essop Pahad: At a press conference on Wednesday Pahad conceded that the GCIS could have done more to explain the president’s HIV/Aids views. “We could have engaged on the issue more openly and efficiently. The information service and the presidency could have done more to deal with the negative perceptions.” In response to the M&G’s questions the ministry gave no comment, saying that two days was too short notice for the minister to respond. Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi: No response. Minister of Public Enterprises Jeff Radebe: No response. Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi: No response. Minister of Public Works Stella Sigcau: No response.
Minister of Safety and Security Steve Tshwete: No response. Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour: No comment, he is out of the country
Minister of Trade and Industry Alec Erwin: Cited the departmental Aids policy and failed to directly answer about the HIV/Aids link. Minister of Transport Abdullah Omar: No response.
Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Ronnie Kasrils: No response. Minister of Welfare and Population Development Dr Zola Skweyiya: No response.